MOUNT VERNON — Monday Knox County Commissioners voted in favor of vacating an alley in Clinton Township. The petition to vacate was filed by resident Chris Thompson who gathered signatures from all property owners. Thompson said he wanted to install a privacy fence.
Clerk Rochelle Shackle noted that the alley was never “opened,” or used in the capacity of an alley. The 15-foot undeveloped, unnamed alley has not been used for traffic in approximately 50 years according to one resident.
Commissioners Teresa Bemiller, Roger Reed and Allen Stockberger accepted the petition to vacate the alley, located between Broadway Street and Charles Street, at a previous meeting.
Commissioners Bemiller and Reed viewed the alley Monday morning with many of the property owners present. In the afternoon council session, property owner Jessie Hanna-Lucas attended to hear the commissioner’s discussion and subsequent 3-0 vote to vacate the property.
Affected by the decision were the owners of Lots 64-75. There were no concerns expressed by property owners at the morning viewing except for understanding the vacation process.
In accordance with the passing vote, the legislation will be recorded and relayed to the county map office. Each property owner be granted a deed for 7.5 feet. The deed cannot be added to their existing deeds so they will receive two real estate tax notices.
